Hrvatski
A new call for grant funding, “Process Innovation in S3 Areas“, has been published. It is aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises in the manufacturing industry that want to bring their innovative product or service to market. This is an open (continuous) call under the Competitiveness and Cohesion Programme 2021–2027, financed by the European Regional Development Fund, with a total of EUR 17,188,524.40 available.
Funds are awarded on a “first come, first served” basis, so an earlier and higher-quality application pays off directly.
Key information in one place
- Eligible applicants: micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in sector C – Manufacturing (NKD 2025.)
- Grant amount per project: from EUR 150,000 to EUR 450,000
- Aid intensity: up to 50% for process and business organisation innovation, with the option of de minimis aid up to 75% for supporting costs
- Total allocation: EUR 17,188,524.40
- Project implementation period: no more than 24 months
- Application deadline: from 1 September 2026 at 11:00 until funds are exhausted, and no later than 31 December 2026 at 11:00
- One company (OIB) may submit only one project proposal.
What is financed?
The call supports the commercialisation of innovative products and services that are new to the market, through process and business organisation innovation, with an emphasis on digitalisation and green transition, as well as employee upskilling.
To be eligible, the innovative product or service must be at technology readiness level TRL 7 or higher and fall within at least one of the seven S3 thematic priority areas:
- Personalised health care
- Smart and clean energy
- Smart and green mobility
- Security and dual use
- Sustainable and circular food
- Customised and integrated wood products
- Digital products and platforms
Each project must include at least one process and/or business organisation innovation related to digitalisation or green transition – for example, introducing software for production automation, an ERP system, IoT sensors in the process, or optimising energy consumption.
Which costs are eligible?
The project can, among other things, finance:
- staff costs for personnel working on project implementation;
- protection of intellectual property (patents and other intangible assets);
- advisory services for innovation and innovation support services;
- external services such as market research and analysis, product testing, design, marketing plan and promotion;
- employee upskilling, with an emphasis on green and digital skills;
- investments in equipment, machinery, tools and hardware directly related to the purpose of the project;
- project management and preparation of application documentation (up to EUR 35,000).
The costs of preparing application documentation and project management are eligible as of the date the call is published – and up to EUR 35,000. In other words, the investment in the quality preparation of a project proposal can be co-financed from the project itself. That is why now is the right time to prepare, rather than the period just before the deadline.
How we can help
At Sensum, we have been following this call since it was published and we offer full support – from assessing the eligibility of your idea and preparing the project proposal, to project implementation after funding is awarded (project management, reporting, public procurement and indicator monitoring).
Since funds are awarded until the allocation is exhausted, preparing in good time is decisive for the success of an application. Contact us for a free initial assessment of your project and let us check together whether your innovation fits this call.